A resolution authorizing the payment of unused sick time accrued by the former sexton of the Lake Township Cemetery to his widow has been approved by the township trustees.

The trustees Tuesday unanimously approved a payment of $2,393 to the widow of Dan Sprinski, who died suddenly in May.

The payment amount, however, drew criticism from Sprinski’s family and friends, who contended his widow is entitled to at least half of the 435.25 hours he’d accrued.

Jeff Pettit, who chairs the board of trustees, said the payment reflects 25 percent of Sprinski’s accrued hours. That percentage, he said, is set in the township’s contract with the police union and it’s been the practice of the trustees to treat unionized and non-union employees equitably.

At a July 13 committee of the whole meeting, Oregon officials heard concerns from residents about flooding and drainage problems as a result of the June 27 heavy rain event.

“No matter what we say or do, it is never any fun to clean up sewage out of a basement,” said City Administrator Mike Beazley. “Most of us have done it, I’ve done it. We understand that.”

“For those of you who say this was worse than it’s ever been, the answer is you’re right. It was worse.”

We’ve talked to hundreds of residents for the last couple of weeks and we’re trying to learn as we go. We’re trying to learn from each major event. We learned from the 2008 event. That was probably the biggest one from quite a few years until then. This one trumped that by a lot.”

Oregon’s new semi-trailer truck valued at $130,000 was stolen from a Western Star Dealer in Monroe, Michigan this month where it was being serviced under warranty.

“We had an unusual theft to report today,” City Administrator Mike Beazley said at a council meeting on July 13. “One of our big semis disappeared. It’s gone. And it’s a large truck. It’s insured, but it’s someone else’s responsibility.”

The truck was purchased last year, and went into service in October, Marty Wineland, superintendent of streets, told The Press after the meeting.

“We used it for hauling stones and leaves, and to pull a low boy equipment trailer,” he said.

Voters in the Woodmore School District won’t see a levy renewal request on the November ballot.

The school board voted Tuesday to not seek renewal this year of a 5-year property tax that generates $600,000 annually for operations.

The levy will expire in December 2016 but the board last month voted 4-1 to begin the process for placing it on this November’s ballot.

Joe Liszak, a member of the board’s finance committee, cast the sole vote against going on the ballot, arguing that voters in May had rejected the renewal levy and an income tax request. District residents, he said, deserved a clearer picture of the school system’s financial situation before the board opts to go to the ballot.